US-Russia chill threatens NASA space program?

[Thesmartguy]

http//news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080824/sc_afp/usrussiaspaceisspolitics<br />
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How is this a crisis? Are they both just racing to see who gets there first? Best answer for the one who explains it logically. <br />

 

[TheLady]

I believe it refers to our common Space Station program which we do in conjunction with each other.

 

[seabreezecc]

Getting supplies to the International Space Station (ISS) from 2010 to 2015 was going to be done only by the Russians. If the Russians refuse to make the trips, then all work on the ISS will stop. The shuttle fleet is scheduled to be moth balled in 2010.

 

[boogerboy]

The real issue here is that there is no longer a need for NASA. The primary reason for NASA continuing to exist for the last 20 years was the need to launch and service satellites with commercial applications. The fact is, that the private sector is ready to take over that responsibility, and is better equipped to do it efficiently and cost effectively. The Space shuttle is no longer a practical, safe means of space travel.
The joint venture with the International space station relies heavily on Russian resources and exists more as a feel-good story than as a practical means to advance space exploration. With Russia looking more like the Soviet Union of the 80's, because of their activity in Georgia, NASA may be ready to step down as the driving force in Space exploration and take a new role as coordinators and regulators of Space exploration by the private sector.

 

[7331]

Basically, from 2010 until 2015, at the earliest, Russia is going to be the only country capable of launching people into space. When the U.S. retires its space shuttle fleet two years from now to start work on the Orion, they'll have nothing to launch astronauts to space.

NASA is prepared to pay Russia big bucks to launch its astronauts to the ISS, which needs constant maintenance. If bad relations between Russia and the U.S. continue, then Russia may decide to refuse to help NASA and Americans will have no way of getting to space.

If this happens, Americans are going to have to essentially cede the ISS to Russia, the only country which will be capable of maintaining it. That's the crisis.

 

[cbjack]

I hope so. NASA is a huge waste of the tax payers money. It's time to pull the plug on shooting our money into outer space. Let the Russians have the space station and let them pay for it.